Adult Literacy Perspectives (Electronic book text)

As a field of practice and disciplined inquiry, adult basic education (ABE) has a rich and varied tradition. Over the past twenty-five years it has emerged as a distinct area within education providing important innovations and substantial resources. However, the parameters of both theory and practice are often unclear for those working in ABE. There is difficulty in defining literacy or adult basic education, and this may speak more to the diversities of theory and practice and their many interpretations - often specific to the locale or the individual involved - than to any lack of knowledge or skill. In this book, the editors have tried to capture something of the richness of this diversity, the divergence of theories and practices, as well as their political and economic contexts in daily life. To accomplish this, they invited a wide range of scholars, practitioners and analysts to share their expertise.